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Richard Trevithick's Puffing Devil:
Minions Phoenix 100 Day

Photographs taken 2009

On the 10th June 2009, a week of events called Phoenix 100 took place to celebrate Caradon Hill communities past and present. The celebrations marked the events of 100 years ago, when on the 10th June 1909 the Prince and Princess of Wales, the future King George V and Queen Mary, visited the Phoenix United Mine high up on Bodmin Moor, as part of their three day tour of Cornwall. As a part of these centenary celebrations, the Trevithick Society brought along their working replica of Richard Trevithick's "Puffing Devil" to mark the day itself. The original engine first ran in 1801 in Camborne, and even inspired the famous and rousing Cornish song "Camborne Hill".

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The Puffing Devil at Minions "Phoenix 100" Day

Minions Traction Engine
The Burrel Road Locomotive "Janet" - commonly known as a "Traction Engine" at Minions

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The Puffing Devil - or "Captain Dick's Puffer" as the original was nick-named

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
Even good at three-point-turns!

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
...and off again.

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
It takes a full crew of four to drive this engine - no back-seat drivers, just co-ordination!

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
...as long as you stay within the speed limit of course.

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The Puffing Devil at rest

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The footplate - or the rear one anyway... the fuel goes in the front end.

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The pistons

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil Model
A miniature model on show of the Puffing Devil

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil Model
The model

Minions Trevithick Puffing Devil
The Puffing Devil off once again for another run through the village

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